it's definitely 10 days 'til Christmas. Eek.
This weekend was really good. It was full of friends and that's full of fun, despite the fact that it involved seedy bars with too loud karaoke, being punched hard enough to deaden my arm, and cleaning raquetball courts till they gleamed. Good times, good times.

Because the big holiday is almost upon us, here is the latest "Friday Five" (just a few days delayed). Feel free to comment with your own thoughts:
1. Do you enjoy the cold weather and snow for the holidays?
Let’s just say that I’m never dreaming of a white Christmas (think of the ORIGINAL first verse of the song!!), but I can remember the feeling of sheer delight coursing through me the one time I recall when I was in Pennsylvania for Christmas and it started snowing on Christmas day. It seemed miraculous to me.

2. What is your ideal holiday celebration? How, where, with whom would you celebrate to make things perfect?
Family (not just blood, but all the people I love) and food is all I need, although since this is my “ideal” celebration, I would definitely opt out of serving any sort of poultry dish as, ideally, I would prefer not to be reminded of Laura’s love of eating skin. Nothing against her, it’s just my stomach can’t take too much more of seeing that.

3. Do you do have any holiday traditions?
We always have pizza on Christmas Eve, unless we have pea soup or something. But pizza is usually the menu. And we take a photo every year, so if you ever see one and wonder why my dad is laid out like he just slid into 2nd base, it’s only because he has just set the timer.

4. Do you do anything to help the needy?
Define “needy.”

5. What one gift would you like for yourself?
As strange as this may sound, I would really like Big Bear to get some more stuffing. He’s been with me for many, many a Christmas, and he’s going a little too squishy in the head. It’s like his stuffing has evaporated. He could use a really good bath, too. But that’s one of those things that I would never do myself, just from lack of time and knowledge, really, but I would really like it to happen. Anyone know of a teddy bear day spa?